BARDNEY ABBEY

Bardney Abbey was founded before 697, perhaps as double house of monks and nuns, but destroyed by the Danes circa 860. Refounded 1087 as an Alien Priory, dependent on Charroux. Raised to the rank of a Benedictine Abbey in 1115, and dissolved in 1538. Sir Robert Tyrwhitt subsequently turned part of the abbey into a secular residence with associated formal garden features. This had probably been abandoned by 1663-4 when Edward Maddison bought the site. Excavations were carried out circa 1930 by T Crowder on the church, cloister and two ranges which extend to the south. The precinct is defined by a substantial moat and earthworks of buildings and other structures, probably relating to both the monastic and post-dissolution phases, extend across the site. Bardney is thought to have been a minster in the Saxon period. Dependencies: Partney, Skendleby

Founded before 697, perhaps as double house of monks and nuns.Refounded 1087 as an Alien Priory, dependent on Charroux. Raised tothe rank of an abbey in 1115, and dissolved in 1538.Scheduled. Six of the monks were executed after the LincolnshireRising of 1536. Remains of the great gateway, west of the church,still stand. [See Illustrations Card for A.P.]. (2-6)

Area TF 113706 The Abbey site was partially excavated, c 1930, by MrT Crowder (now deceased) Some foundation walling has been leftexposed; other remains, including all the pillar bases, have beenlightly earth covered to prevent frost damage. A vast collection ofdecorative stone details has been deposited in Bardney Church.

Almost all of the enclosing moat survives; foundation remains of out buildings and numerous, dried-up, fishponds complete thecomplex.

Surveyed at 1:2500. (7)

No change. AM survey of 7-8-64 revised. (8)

Excavations at Bardney Abbey have revealed the plan of the Medievalmonastic buildings and associated features, some of which werevisible as earthworks and mapped from good quality air photographs.(9a).

A substantial moat encloses the precinct, measuring 360m by 290m,centred at TF 1135 7063. A gap in the western side of the precinctenclosure, at TF 1124 7056, marks a gateway. There was no standingremains of the gateway as described by authorities 2-6. Severalfishponds are associated with the precinct moat, at TF 1118 7076, TF 1141 7077, TF 1148 7048 and TF 1148 7058. Outside the precinct,to the south at TF 1133 7030 are more fishponds. To the west is anextensive system of water channels, extending for 580m from TF 1112 7050 to TF 1142 7000.

The foundations of several buildings including the Abbey and itsassociated cloister and ranges of buildings were visible, centredat TF 1134 7056. Surrounding these buildings are several ditchedenclosures. More buildings are located in the NW area of theprecinct, including a barn at TF 1125 7067.

A rabbit warren adjacent to the eastern side of the precinct, may beassociated with the priory and is recorded in TF 17 SW 27. A PostMedieval house and walled garden, which re-used some of the monasticbuildings is recorded in TF 17 SW 18. (Morph No. LI.577.4.1-19)

This description is based on data from the RCHME MORPH2 database.(9-10)

Two fragments of Anglo-Saxon crosses found during excavations at the abbey are in St Lawrence's Church, Bardney.(10-11)

SOURCE TEXT

( 1) Ordnance Survey Map (Scale / Date)

OS 6" 1956

( 2) edited by William Page 1906 The Victoria history of the county of Lincoln, volume two